Bush vows compassion, urges unity

AssociatedPress

WASHINGTON -- George W. Bush offered his "solemn pledge" on Saturday to govern compassionately and "work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity," addressing the nation after one of the closest elections in American history.

In his inaugural speech, Bush outlined his priorities, promoting what had been major campaign themes: educational reform, overhauling Social Security and Medicare, a stronger defense and a tax cut "to recover the momentum of our economy."

Bush's remarks lasted 15 minutes in a light drizzle, interrupted 14 times by applause, usually brief but accompanied by cheers when he spoke of taxes and defense.

He borrowed a theme sounded 12 years earlier by his father when he took office: a call for more volunteerism and community service.

"Compassion is the work of a nation, not just a government," Bush said.

"I ask you to be citizens. Citizens, not spectators. Citizens, not subjects. Responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character," Bush said.

"I will live and lead by these principles: to advance my convictions with civility, to pursue the public interest with courage; to speak for greater justice and compassion; to call for responsibility, and try to live it as well," Bush said.

He promised a "new commitment to live out our nation's promise through civility, courage, compassion and character."

Bush, the first president in more than a century to take office without also winning the popular vote, opened by observing that a "peaceful transfer of authority is rare in history, yet common in our country."

"With a simple oath, we affirm old traditions, and make new beginnings," he said.

He thanked outgoing President Clinton "for service to our nation" and former rival Al Gore "for a contest conducted with spirit and ended with grace."

As with most inaugural addresses, Bush's speech was thematic and short on specific proposals.

But he did issue what amounted to a summary of what were longtime campaign promises, beginning with educational reform. "Together, we will reclaim America's schools, before ignorance and apathy claim more young lives," Bush asserted.

Bush planned to make his educational package the first legislation he sends to Congress.

He would require more student testing, punish and reward states depending on pupil performance, expand public charter schools, spend $5 billion to boost literacy over five years and $8 billion over 10 years for more college scholarships and grants.

"We will reform Social Security and Medicare, sparing our children from struggles we have the power to prevent," Bush said. He has proposed allowing younger workers to put a portion of their Social Security taxes into the stock market in search of higher returns; and allowing private companies to compete to provide prescription drug and other medical benefits under Medicare.

And he got in a plug for his 10-year, $1.6 trillion tax-cut plan. "We will reduce taxes, to recover the momentum of our economy and reward the effort and enterprise of working Americans," Bush said.

He pledged to "build our defenses beyond challenge" with a strong military and to "confront weapons of mass destruction, so that a new century is spared new horrors."

The United States is engaged in the world "by history and by choice," Bush said, promising to continue to keep the nation involved in international affairs and world commerce and not to permit a retreat within its borders.

And he issued a stern warning to would-be adversaries: "We will defend our allies and our interests. We will show purpose without arrogance. We will meet aggression and bad faith with resolve and strength. And to all nations, we will speak for the values that gave our nation birth."

"America, at its best, is compassionate," he added.

Bush, a deeply religious man, made several references to divinity and religion in his address. He said he knew his goals were within his reach "because we are guided by a power larger than ourselves, who creates us in his image," he said.

"Church and charity, synagogue and mosque, lend our communities their humanity, and they will have an honored place in our plans and laws" he said at another point.

And in a biblical reference, Bush said, "I can pledge our nation to a goal: When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side."

Bush suggested that the nation's best export was the spirit of liberty. "Through much of the last century, America's faith in freedom and democracy was a rock in a raging sea. Now it is a seed upon the wind, taking root in many nations," Bush said.

But he also said he was mindful that, while many Americans are prosperous, "others doubt the promise, even the justice, of our own country."

"The ambitions of some Americans are limited by failing schools, and hidden prejudice, and the circumstances of their birth. And sometimes our differences run so deep, it seems we share a continent, but not a country."

"We do not accept this, and will not allow it," he added. "And this is my solemn pledge: I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity.

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